We are honored to be featured in Yoga Journal‘s recent article, “A Short List of Exceptional Yoga Nonprofits”, as one of the organizations making a lasting difference through yoga. The piece highlights the vital role that nonprofits play in bringing the healing, science-backed benefits of yoga and meditation to underserved communities across the globe—and we are proud to stand alongside such meaningful efforts.
At Yoga Gives Back, this recognition is not just about our organization—it is a tribute to our global family of supporters, Ambassadors, partners, and donors who help us turn gratitude into action every day. We extend our deepest thanks to Yoga Journal for amplifying our mission and for acknowledging the power of yoga to create equitable change.
A Circle of Impact—Thanks to You
Since 2007, Yoga Gives Back has supported underserved women and children in India—the birthplace of yoga—by providing:
- Microloans for 550 mothers through our SisterAid program
- Primary education for 600+ young girls to prevent child marriage and labor
- Five-year college scholarships (SHE Program) for over 400 disadvantaged youths
- Digital literacy training and internet access for rural women and girls
- Safe housing and education for children with no families to care for them
All of this is possible because of the global yoga community who shares in our mantra: “For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.”
Yoga Journal’s Short List of Exceptional Non-Profits
- Black Boys Om: Founded by Danny Angelo Fluker Jr., the yoga nonprofit essentially offers a dedicated space for conversations related to Black wellness as well as instruction on meditation and yoga through free virtual classes.
- Black Yoga Teachers Alliance: Organized in 2009 by yoga teachers Jana Long and Maya Breuer, the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance started as a welcoming space for conversations among yoga professionals. It continues to serve that vital function as it has expanded into even more of a resource for teachers as a source for scholarships that support continued educational and professional development, grants for launching or sustaining community-focused projects, endless networking, as well as workshops, trainings, and conferences.
- Guided By Humanity: Designed to bring yoga to “everyBODY” and “everyABILITY,” Guided By Humanity is a “radically inclusive” nonprofit that brings the practice to marginalized populations who experience seen and unseen challenges.
- LoveYourBrain Foundation
After experiencing the role yoga played in his brother’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), Adam Pearce felt the need to share the benefits with others who are similarly challenged. What resulted is LoveYourBrain Foundation, which brings yoga and community to those living with the isolation and challenges that accompany living with TBI. - Mind Body Solutions:Created by Matthew Sanford, Mind Body Solutions brings adaptive yoga to anyone regardless of experience level or ability. As Sanford explains, “The principles of yoga do not discriminate. Yoga poses do!” The nonprofit offers Zoom yoga classes six days a week as well as recorded classes, workshops, a book club, and informal chat sessions to help build community among those living with disabilities.
- Prison Yoga Project: “Healing over punishment.” That’s the essential message behind Prison Yoga Project, which works to share the tools of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness with those who are incarcerated.
- The Phoenix: A national sober active community, The Phoenix offers hundreds of weekly events at locations throughout the country, including yoga and mindfulness classes as well as hikes, indoor climbing, art therapy, and more.
- Three and a Half Acres: Founded by trauma-informed yoga teacher, trainer and YGB Ambassador, Lara Land, Three and a Half Acres works
with nonprofits focused on domestic abuse, food and housing insecurity, and other challenges to supplement their offerings with yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, in effect creating safe spaces for an array of underserved communities. The nonprofit, which began in Harlem, also “helps the helpers” by providing trauma-informed training to teachers. - Veterans Yoga Project: Founded in 2011, this organization supports the endless resilience needed by veterans through classes available at no cost to veterans, their familes, and their caregivers.
- Yoga Gives Back: The global nonprofit launched by Kayoko Mitsumatsu has supported underserved women and children in India by creating safe spaces, providing primary education and scholarships for further education, as well as obtaining microloans for mothers. A relatively recent part of its mindful outreach includes a five-year commitment to each individual. Yoga Gives Back, which has communities in more than 30 countries, has set its sights on reaching #OneMillionYogis, and you can help.
with nonprofits focused on domestic abuse, food and housing insecurity, and other challenges to supplement their offerings with yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, in effect creating safe spaces for an array of underserved communities. The nonprofit, which began in Harlem, also “helps the helpers” by providing trauma-informed training to teachers.Help Us Reach One Million Yogis
With supporters in over 30 countries and a network of 150+ Ambassadors, we are growing a global movement of gratitude. Our goal is to unite #OneMillionYogis—and with your help, we can make this vision a reality.
Thank you, Yoga Journal, for recognizing this movement—and thank you to every one of our supporters for helping to make it possible.
Together, we are creating a world where yoga doesn’t just heal—but empowers.
Learn more: Check out YGB Impact and Ways to Support
